This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
Silver fir is one of the most threatened conifer species in Croatia, especially at the western edge of its spread in Croatian Dinarides, where the decline in fir trees has resulted in significant ecological and economic issues. The aim of this study was to determine, over an 18-year monitoring period, the relationships of silver fir crown defoliation with climatic factors and structural attributes. We further analyzed the tree retention time in a given defoliation class and transition dynamics between defoliation classes, as well as the survival/mortality of trees. Data on silver fir defoliation were analyzed in two different forest types: in pure silver fir and in mixed silver fir and common beech stands. The climatic factors, primarily vegetation period air temperature, potential evapotranspiration, and dry season water deficit, were correlated with crown defoliation. Regarding the structural attributes, in the mixed stand with predominantly smaller trees, crown defoliation increased with reduced diameter at breast height, crown diameter, social class, and crown illumination. In the pure fir stand, crown defoliation increased with reduced crown diameter, greater crown asymmetry, greater crown illumination, and on trees with a stork’s nest crown. The retention time in defoliation classes differed for research sites. Transition dynamics were different only for trees in the highest defoliation class (dead trees). At the end of the study period, silver fir mortality was higher in the pure fir stand. Increased silver fir defoliation and mortality can be expected in the future, particularly in overmature stands under prolonged drought stress. Permanent forest monitoring could ensure the high-quality data needed for adaptive management of fir stands that could positively influence the structure of these stands and, thus, improve their health status.
Damir Ugarković; Anamarija Jazbec; Ivan Seletković; Ivica Tikvić; Vinko Paulić; Mladen Ognjenović; Mia Marušić; Nenad Potočić. Silver Fir Decline in Pure and Mixed Stands at Western Edge of Spread in Croatian Dinarides Depends on Some Stand Structure and Climate Factors. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6060 .
AMA StyleDamir Ugarković, Anamarija Jazbec, Ivan Seletković, Ivica Tikvić, Vinko Paulić, Mladen Ognjenović, Mia Marušić, Nenad Potočić. Silver Fir Decline in Pure and Mixed Stands at Western Edge of Spread in Croatian Dinarides Depends on Some Stand Structure and Climate Factors. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (11):6060.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDamir Ugarković; Anamarija Jazbec; Ivan Seletković; Ivica Tikvić; Vinko Paulić; Mladen Ognjenović; Mia Marušić; Nenad Potočić. 2021. "Silver Fir Decline in Pure and Mixed Stands at Western Edge of Spread in Croatian Dinarides Depends on Some Stand Structure and Climate Factors." Sustainability 13, no. 11: 6060.
Considering the fragility of the Mediterranean environment, there is an increasing need to improve the knowledge of this forest environment. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of air pollution on the forest ecosystem’s condition by analyzing tree vitality. The study area was chosen to represent the most important and the most common species in Mediterranean forest ecosystems of the Eastern Adriatic coast. Quercus pubescens, Quercus ilex, Pinus halepensis, and Pinus nigra plots were equipped with rain collectors and dendrometer bands. Sampling, measurements, and analyses of atmospheric deposition, foliar nutrient, defoliation, and growth were all carried out. Results showed that actual N deposition loads were the lowest in Aleppo pine forest and the highest in holm oak forests. This, however, did not have an effect on the concentrations of N in foliage. Most elements’ concentrations were in the plausible range. No relevant differences in mean defoliation between the plots were observed. The plots with a lower percentage of basal area increment (BAI%) were found to have lower defoliation. The research was conducted to bridge the gap in the knowledge of air pollutants and vitality indicators in different forest types. These findings are a valuable contribution to the sustainable forest management of Mediterranean forest.
Tamara Jakovljević; Aldo Marchetto; Lucija Lovreškov; Nenad Potočić; Ivan Seletković; Krunoslav Indir; Goran Jelić; Lukrecija Butorac; Željko Zgrablić; Alessandra De Marco; Guillaume Simioni; Mladen Ognjenović; Ana Jurinjak Tušek. Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition and Vitality Indicators in Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6805 .
AMA StyleTamara Jakovljević, Aldo Marchetto, Lucija Lovreškov, Nenad Potočić, Ivan Seletković, Krunoslav Indir, Goran Jelić, Lukrecija Butorac, Željko Zgrablić, Alessandra De Marco, Guillaume Simioni, Mladen Ognjenović, Ana Jurinjak Tušek. Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition and Vitality Indicators in Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (23):6805.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTamara Jakovljević; Aldo Marchetto; Lucija Lovreškov; Nenad Potočić; Ivan Seletković; Krunoslav Indir; Goran Jelić; Lukrecija Butorac; Željko Zgrablić; Alessandra De Marco; Guillaume Simioni; Mladen Ognjenović; Ana Jurinjak Tušek. 2019. "Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition and Vitality Indicators in Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems." Sustainability 11, no. 23: 6805.
Tamara Jakovljevic; Nenad Potocic; Ivan Seletkovic; Krunoslav Indir; Zeljko Zgrablic; Lukrecija Butorac; Goran Jelic; Alessandra De Marco; Aldo Marchetto. Mediterranean forest ecosystems monitoring in Croatia. Journal of Biotechnology 2018, 280, S5 -S6.
AMA StyleTamara Jakovljevic, Nenad Potocic, Ivan Seletkovic, Krunoslav Indir, Zeljko Zgrablic, Lukrecija Butorac, Goran Jelic, Alessandra De Marco, Aldo Marchetto. Mediterranean forest ecosystems monitoring in Croatia. Journal of Biotechnology. 2018; 280 ():S5-S6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTamara Jakovljevic; Nenad Potocic; Ivan Seletkovic; Krunoslav Indir; Zeljko Zgrablic; Lukrecija Butorac; Goran Jelic; Alessandra De Marco; Aldo Marchetto. 2018. "Mediterranean forest ecosystems monitoring in Croatia." Journal of Biotechnology 280, no. : S5-S6.
Foliar phosphorus concentrations have decreased in Europe during the last 20 years. High atmospheric nitrogen deposition and climate change might be responsible for this trend. Continued decrease in foliar P concentrations might lead to reduced growth and vitality of beech forests in Europe. Increased forest soil acidification, atmospheric nitrogen deposition, and climate change have been shown to affect phosphorus nutrition of forest trees. Low foliar phosphorus levels and high nitrogen/phosphorus ratios have been observed in different European countries and have been related to reduced growth in forests. We test the hypothesis that phosphorus concentrations of European beech (F. sylvatica L.) foliage are decreasing at the European scale. Foliar phosphorus concentrations in beech were monitored on the basis of the “International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests.” Here, data from 12 European countries, comprising 79 plots and a 20-year sampling period (1991–2010), were evaluated. Foliar phosphorus concentrations ranged from 0.81 to 1.66 mg g−1 dw (plot median of the 20-year sampling period). On 22 % of the plots, phosphorus concentrations were in the deficiency range of beech (Mellert and Göttlein 2012). On 62 % of the plots, the nitrogen/phosphorus ratio was above 18.9, which is considered to be disharmonious for beech. In addition, foliar phosphorus concentrations were significantly decreasing by, on average, 13 % from 1.31 to 1.14 mg g−1 in Europe (p Our results show that phosphorus nutrition of beech is impaired in Europe. Possible drivers of this development might be high atmospheric nitrogen deposition and climate change. Continued decrease in foliar phosphorus concentrations, eventually attaining phosphorus deficiency levels, might lead to reduced growth and vitality of beech forests in Europe.
Ulrike Talkner; Karl Josef Meiwes; Nenad Potočić; Ivan Seletković; Nathalie Cools; Bruno De Vos; Pasi Rautio. Phosphorus nutrition of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is decreasing in Europe. Annals of Forest Science 2015, 72, 919 -928.
AMA StyleUlrike Talkner, Karl Josef Meiwes, Nenad Potočić, Ivan Seletković, Nathalie Cools, Bruno De Vos, Pasi Rautio. Phosphorus nutrition of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is decreasing in Europe. Annals of Forest Science. 2015; 72 (7):919-928.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUlrike Talkner; Karl Josef Meiwes; Nenad Potočić; Ivan Seletković; Nathalie Cools; Bruno De Vos; Pasi Rautio. 2015. "Phosphorus nutrition of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is decreasing in Europe." Annals of Forest Science 72, no. 7: 919-928.
Zvonko Seletković; Damir Ugarković; Ivan Seletković; Nenad Potočić. Habitat Characteristics of Bracken-Covered Areas Intended for Afforestation in Ličko Sredogorje. South-east European forestry 2013, 4, 105 -114.
AMA StyleZvonko Seletković, Damir Ugarković, Ivan Seletković, Nenad Potočić. Habitat Characteristics of Bracken-Covered Areas Intended for Afforestation in Ličko Sredogorje. South-east European forestry. 2013; 4 (2):105-114.
Chicago/Turabian StyleZvonko Seletković; Damir Ugarković; Ivan Seletković; Nenad Potočić. 2013. "Habitat Characteristics of Bracken-Covered Areas Intended for Afforestation in Ličko Sredogorje." South-east European forestry 4, no. 2: 105-114.
As a part of a broader research into the nutrition of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), the variation of calcium concentrations was investigated in needles and soil in two subsequent, climatologically diverse years. Statistically significant differences between plots were determined in Ca concentrations in soils. Concentrations of Ca in needles were statistically different regarding plot, defoliation class, sampling date within the same year and also between years. Fir trees on acid-rock based soils had lower, often inadequate concentrations of Ca in needles; the opposite was true for trees growing on Ca-rich soils. Trees of lower vitality generally exhibited poor Ca nutrition. Drought in the second year of research caused poor absorption of Ca on all plots and in all defoliation classes, but the combined influence of climate and soil properties affected especially trees of low vitality on acid-rock based soils.
Nenad Potočić; Tomislav Ćosić; Ivan Pilaš. The influence of climate and soil properties on calcium nutrition and vitality of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). Environmental Pollution 2005, 137, 596 -602.
AMA StyleNenad Potočić, Tomislav Ćosić, Ivan Pilaš. The influence of climate and soil properties on calcium nutrition and vitality of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). Environmental Pollution. 2005; 137 (3):596-602.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNenad Potočić; Tomislav Ćosić; Ivan Pilaš. 2005. "The influence of climate and soil properties on calcium nutrition and vitality of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.)." Environmental Pollution 137, no. 3: 596-602.